Cross-Sex Context as a Factor in Persuasibility Sex Differences

This study explores the hypothesis that previous reports of greater female persuasibility may have been confounded by the cross-sex context of the communication situation. Utilizing live male and female communicators within a fully randomized repeated-measures design, the data indicate moderate support for the hypothesis. Alternative interpretations of the data are explored with particular attention to the theory that status inequalities in the larger society influence sex differences in persuasion in experimental contexts through the confirmation of role-related expectancies.